With the encouragement to continue in the faith instilled in them, the 15 seniors at Calvary Christian School received their diplomas in the 2022 graduation ceremony Friday night at Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine.
All of the graduates plus one homeschool student met the State of Ohio requirements and are ready to take their next steps.
The evening started with the presentation of three special awards:
• The Solomon Award was given to Emma Patton for demonstrating the most wisdom;
• The Daniel Award for the senior who best exemplified bold faith went to Josh Harmison; and
• The Joshua Award was presented to Isaac Reinhard for his positive example of leadership.
“Graduating high school is a great honor,” stated Reinhard in his speech as senior class president, “but the relationships we’ve made in our time here are much greater.”
Also receiving recognition were Erin Young (class vice president), who was named salutatorian, and Patton (class secretary), who was chosen as valedictorian. Young spoke of the sacrifice of their parents and the lessons they learned from their siblings.
“We stand here because of families, parents and siblings,” Young said. “The teachers are like parents, our classmates like siblings, and the school is like a home.”
She concluded, “We need to pursue God’s goodness in the years ahead.”
Patton’s speech took a more humorous approach. “My classmates helped me realize I don’t want to be a teacher,” she said. “I’m thankful God showed me teaching is not how He wants me to serve Him.”
The commencement address was given by Jeff Willetts, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, who exhorted the graduates to be careful and wise about the many choices ahead.
“Calvary Christian School has partnered with your parents and tried to lay a foundation,” he said. “We are praying for you, and you need to choose wisely.”
He offered the students three steps to help them discern those wise choices: Keep growing in the Lord; Learn what really matters; and Live for Jesus Christ.
With these guidelines in mind, Willetts told the students they were not only receiving a diploma, but also a Bible to help them grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Before announcing the graduates of 2022, Dr. Daniel Bragg, class adviser, said, “This was my first year at Calvary and it was a joy to be a part.”